Weekend update

Today we went to church and to the Boy Scout breakfast.  It was kinda cute having my students fetching me coffee, lol.  When we got home, I got started on the laundry pile.  I am now on load number 4.  I have about 2 more to go.  I hate it when laundry gets behind like that, but I was too busy Wednesday (craft fair, cooking), Thursday (cooking, company), Friday (craft fair, kids) and Saturday (craft fair) to get much done.  So, now I pay.....  Speaking of laundry- here's a tip.  If you have funky laundry like I do (IE- the towels smell weird, you have a bed wetter, potty trainer, dog. stinky man shirts, etc) white vinegar is awesome.  

You put it in the rinse and it gets rid of odor and makes things soft.  I can never remember to go to the dungeon the put it in the rinse cycle, so I put the vinegar in the Downy ball.  Perfect.  

Now Zachary's cats and the towels

 smell lovely. 

I also spent 2 HOURS cleaning Helen's room.  That will not happen again.  "Maid" service will come in every Friday to change sheets, dust and vacuum.  So, Thursday night rooms will be picked up or I will do it with the infamous black trash bag.  Period.  

Then Helen and I went to the mall.  We got a package of socks, some "bras" for her, some lotion from Bath and Body Works (blueberry) and some nail polish.  She doesn't have many "girly" moments, so I take advantage when I can.  She is starting to be interested in clothes, but her taste is weird.  So that is my Sunday.  Now I need to fold more clothes and do my lesson plans.

Craft Fair #4 is OVER

I have chaired this event since March 2007 (there are March and November shows).  This one went relatively smoothly.  I had a few people that were difficult and made my morning miserable, but everyone else seemed happy.  Our $ totals for the day:

$295- bake sale

  500- kitchen sales

 3300- booth sales

-550  less expenses  =    $3545 (since I cannot do math in my head that sounds pretty good.  Do that twice per year, I raise about $7000 for the school each year.  Not too shabby.  I have been up since 4 AM and arrived at school around 5:30.  It is now 5:21 PM.  I just got home.  I am exhausted and have a huge mound of laundry (AKA Mt. Washmore) to deal with.  I will not get to that until tomorrow.  I just want to take a shower and relax.  But I bought homemade dog biscuits, 2 headbands for Helen, a necklace for Helen, a tooth fairy pillow for Zachary, a "goodie bag" for each child, a "leash" for the DS Helen is getting for Christmas (it is beaded with her name on it and it tethers the stylus to the game unit), some awesome handmade soap (this guy makes soap and beer, what a combo, but he smells SOOOOOOO good).  I'm sure I'm forgetting lots of stuff.  A local artist does pen and ink drawings and he made water colored print of the Mary statue from the back of the church for Helen.  I am going to frame it before I give it to her.  She crowned the statue during the May Day procession this year and he saw it in the paper.  He gave it to me today- that was a nice surprise.

I am wiped out and I am going to go eat my leftover dressing and sweet potatoes and have a beer (Dogfish Head).  We went to this pub on our honeymoon and have been back on many occasions since.  Good beer, good food.......  They also make their own "beach beer", sort of a cross between root beer and birch beer.  

If you have any sinus problems, get this.  It is SO gross, but boy does it work!  I am currently on Singulair, Allegra, and Nasonex, but I am still blowing blood.  The sinus rinse helps with that more than anything else.  I just hope I am not developing new cysts.......  I think it is just a combination of the heat running and my job (librarian in a basement is not the best job for someone who is allergic to dust, mold and mildew).

More "confessions"

I like movies.  Ok, so every body knew that, but my secret passion are those made for tv movies, especially those that are Christmassy and involve some kind of angel teaching everyone the true meaning of love and Christmas.  You know, cheesy.  Ranks right up there with crappy horror movies (you know the kind- lots of silly screaming, terrible effects).  Ok, there it is, off my chest.  Sadly, no one else in the house shares my feelings and I never get to watch them.

I also really like old tv shows and movies.  I guess growing up near Atlanta when Ted Turner owned a small UHF channel and could only afford to show I Love Lucy and Leave it to Beaver reruns had an effect on me.  When I lived in Summerville, SC, I could see the tv from my kitchen and I watched the Andy Griffith show while I cooked. (Here is  some nostalgia- I wasn't the best cook, but I remember making a mac and cheese casserole a lot- and fondue.  And you know you're poor when you stretch Lipton noodles by adding a box of spaghetti- AKA "fetta-sketti")  Again, no one shares my appreciation for old tv shows, cheesy movies and musicals.  So, I frequently sneak away and watch alone while I iron (at least I can claim to be productive rather than just doing nothing).

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Everyone has something to be thankful for.  Go be happy.  Eat lots of veggies!

UPDATE:  Oh. My. God.  That was the best dressing I have had in 3 years.  I followed Paula Deen's recipe, using Earth Balance and veg. broth as subs.   Everything else was divine also- but that dressing was awesome (as I pat myself on the back).  Even David had to say "It didn't suck"- high praises from him, ;0)

Dear ****

You don't send emails via your lawyer changing Thansgiving plans at 2 pm on Wednesday.  All I have to say is you are an inconsiderate witch.  You say it has nothing to do with any of us- please explain to Helen why her cousins aren't going to be here now when she has been looking forward to it for a week.  What is your daughter going to say when you tell her she isn't having dinner at my house after all?  I cannot post the words I'd love to share with you right now.

Susan

Advent Conspiracy

Watch this.  It will make you think.  Whether you are religious, or not, you can do more for the world than you realize.  

Which brings me to another thought.  Why is it that people think that liberal still equals "progressive" and "free"?  I am not extreme right wing, not even close, but I just wonder.  Why is it in a capitalist society, where "small business" used to be the back bone, we are forced to give our hard earned money to bail out failing BIG businesses, who quite obviously still don't know how to budget or manage money?  Why can;t failing companies just fail, like in the old days.  The market crashed in 1929.  It sucked, people were scared.  Our country suffered.  But we recovered and thrived.   Our government will have spent much money to save failing businesses, while the "little guys" continue to struggle.  

And, government cannot mandate morals, folks.  Do we all need laws to do the right thing?  Or do we need to just turn over everything to someone else, let them tell us what is right?  Even in the last 10 years, the changes in schools are scary.  Children are no longer individuals.  They are a "standard".  Being gifted is a bad thing.  Too busy trying to water down the curriculum so that no one gets left behind to challenge the smart ones.  Where is the balance?  We are trying to force little bodies to sit in desks and learn what the tests require, no matter what their learning style or abilities.  Too few children are appreciated for who they are.  Hell, too few of anyone is these days.  You must guard every word that is spoken or written because you might offend (censorship, or sensitivity, you tell me?).  Unless of course you are insulting Southerners, fat people or Christians, then they are fair game.  "Stupid fat redneck Biblethumper...."  see, that is OK.  

I am rambling and I need to get ready for work, but I had to rant a bit this morning.

Does it ever end?

Guess what, doing what we were told is messing stuff up........The article  here says that driving less, buying more efficient cars, etc. is going to hurt roads and research for alternative sources.  I know my sister and I had a conversation about how when gas prices finally go down, people will go back to their bad habits.  This is kind of in keeping.  I actually agreed with what BO said in the article.  We do need to realize that this crisis can and will happen again if we, as a country, ignore it.  As my mama says- there are too many smart people in this world for them not to find another source of fuel.  I suggested poop, which seems to be in abundance in my neighborhood (no on picks up at the playground), but I was laughed at.  Maybe we can get those cool garbage cars like in Back to the Future.......

As far as the roads are concerned- the old saying goes- don't count your chickens before they hatch.  Don't count on unlimited funds from bad habits to fund the world.  Case in point, cigarettes cost SO much that people have stopped smoking.  Now the tax money from smokey sales are drying up and     everyone is in a panic in Maryland.  Well, don't fund your schools on the vices (slot machines, smoking, lottery tickets) of adults. I'm just saying........

Why I don't Eat Meat & other Notions

I have been on again/off again for several phases of my life. The most recent transformation came about 3 years ago while trying to figure out what was wrong with my child.  And I  recently had someone challenge me and it made me think about some things.  Namely, what I feel I am doing right, plus what I need to do better.  I have gotten a little lax about some issues.

Once again, here is the list:

1. Factory farming is wrong- it is abusive to the animals and the landscape.

2. You can a live a long healthy life without consuming animals.

3. If everyone went without meat one day per week, the world would be much nicer- I am picking up the slack for 6 other people.

4. I could no longer live with the guilt of eating a living critter.

As for my "green-ness"-

1. I don't really recycle. I do save all the paper to take to the bin at school. We are paid per pound.

2. I don't buy juice boxes and other single serving food items. Bulk is cheaper, less packaging and less garbage.  My children rarely eat school lunch because a) the food is cheap and processed and b) there is much waste involved with the paper goods and such.  They use a great lunchbox.

3. I own an SUV. It was the compromise. It was also the one that got the best MPG in our price range. I combine trips, regulate tire pressure, etc. to decrease consumption. Not as good as my old Honda (42 highway, TYVM), but better than my old Ford Taurus wagon.

4.  I make drinks from concentrate and/or powders in my own pitcher and everyone has a SIGG.  I prefer my own tap water.  I almost always take my own coffee.

5.  We try to keep energy use down, we changed the hot water heater,  bought a new fridge, changed to florescent bulbs, turn off and unplug what is practical.

6.  My kids are the ones walking around picking up trash on beaches and campsites.  Cool.

7. I buy local and in season as much as possible.

Social justice-

1.  I donate regularly to my church and the school.

2.  We give to the local food bank, Birth Right, Goodwill, Value Village, the county pound (every year on Ozzy's birthday) and various missions.  David gives blood monthly (platelets).  

3.  My children make bag lunches for the homeless every month (they shop, make sandwiches, decorate the bags); they make Christmas boxes for Samaritan's Purse every Christmas (not the best organization, but the children love making the boxes).

4.  The children's outgrown snow boots, hats, gloves, etc. are sent to the Appalachian region every winter.

5.  My clothes are given to a battered women's shelter.

6. Helen has participated in the Polar Bear Plunge for Special Olympics since she was 4.  This past January was Zachary's first year.

7.  We believe that it is our responsibility to take care of those in need.

What I need to do different:

1. I need to spend less money on stuff I don't need.

2.  I need to reduce the amount of things that go into the garbage.

3.  I need to completely eliminate dairy from my diet again.

4.  I need to be more prudent in purchases of health/beauty items that are tested on animals and packed in wasteful packaging.

So thank you, friend, for making me think.  I get pretty set in my ways, it is good to have a challenge.  I am trying to raise good children to become good adults.  My faith is strong, stronger than I realized.  Some may look down on the Catholic faith, but I think it does more good than harm (no priest jokes, please).   All religions have had a share of ills; no one thing is truly perfect.  If my life circumstances had been different, I think I would have ended up in a hut somewhere raising goats for the poorest of the poor and teaching them to read.  I just always had too much to walk away from- too many responsibilities and relationships.  Maybe when I'm 60.

Sunday Night

Sitting here on my new couch acting as if I have nothing to do.  I need to :

1. correct some grades in the computer

2. do some laundry and make sure the kids have uniforms for tomorrow

3. pack up food for the food drive at school

4. watch my very guilty and secret pleasure "Rock of Love Charm School", AKA "How not to be a Skank".  I'm sorry I love this show, I don't care what anyone thinks of me for it......

At least I don't have to make lunches tomorrow- it's pancake day at school......  I just spent 20 minutes looking for Zachary's "other cat".   He 

has two Beanie Baby cats that he holds in his hand to fall asleep.  He has to have both.  Without both, there must be a substitute and no cats.  All candidates for substitution must be floppy and fit in his hand.  When shaken, it must flop and wobble.  Weird.  Very weird.  Any way, after searching all over for it and trying to find an acceptable sub, I opened the pants drawer of his dresser and TA DA- there it is.  This is what "Luci" looked like new- the other cat is orange and is named "Fred".  I never said my son was original in picking names.  He picked them out in the grocery store when he was two.  The pink bow was immediately removed.  The cat has been washed quite a few times and is no longer shiny and silky looking- more like dull and nappy.  It is funny that my weapon loving, soldier man Ninja is all about the cute little kitty.  No wonder the ladies love him.

Thanksgiving...

Just got back from the store.  I still didn't get Brussels sprouts.  They were the HUGE ones and $2.99 for the very small container.  I'll have to go somewhere else to get those.   BTW- I had no idea what they looked like on the stalk until I saw them at Whole Foods a few years ago.  Pretty weird, huh?  See photo, right.

Here is our menu:

Appetizers- mushroom canapes, spinach dip, squirt cheese (started as a joke one year, kids expect it now), cranberry martinis (I will no doubt need one by noon)

Turducken (gag)

Cornbread dressing

Brussels Sprout

Green bean casserole (gag)(from Grandma)

Sweet potatoes (Aunt Jackie's recipe)

Grandpa's carrots

REAL mac n cheese (no blue box today)

Peas (for Zachary)

Pumpkin pie

Apple pie (my famous one, for Grandpa)

Spice cupcakes with cream cheese frosting (for Helen, who hates pie)

Now, if I only knew who was coming.  I have no idea if my brother in law and his kids will be here.  He may or may not have the kids.  Since his wife cannot make a decision without lawyers and chaos, I probably won't know until Wednesday.  But this doesn't affect anyone but her and Mark.  It doesn't affect the rest of the family (according to her).  

According to this article , fast food commercials are making kids fat.  Silly me, I though actually EATING the food and then sitting around on your RUMPUS made you fat........  What was I THINKING?

Weekend update

1.  Bought sofa (above) and went for sushi on Friday (one cool thing about not working on Friday and the kids are at school- sometimes David and I get a mini-date).

2.  Picked up sofa and picked out paint.  Good thing I didn't buy paint before we got the sofa in here.  The first color I had picked was exactly the same color as the sofa.  We changed it to "fudge bar"  instead of Arab Sand.  Sofa actually looks good with the red chair.  

3. Started painting.  Mostly done- will finish tomorrow.

4.  Now  I need new curtains, carpet and a coffee table.  Since the red chair looks fine  we aren't going to buy the love seat.   I am looking for large floor cushions for the kids.  Beanbags are much more expensive than I realized!

So that is where we are today.  I am very cold and tired.  It is in the low twenties outside and only about 64 in the house.  Our furnace really isn't doing its job these days and will most likely need to be replaced soon.  

Update- Nov. 16

I am watching Ruby on the Style Network.  This lady weighs about 500 pounds.  She also seems to be one of the most generous, loving and caring person I've seen on reality TV.  She is very brave to allow this kind of footage of herself on television.  I couldn't do it.  

More updates:

1. My laptop is messed up.  The USB ports are damaged.  Most likely due to children dropping it with things plugged into the ports.  Plus now Internet Explorer doesn't want to work, so I have switched to Google Chrome (which I am liking very much).  But every once in a while, the computer will shut itself down for no reason.  I think it is overheating.  SO, since the ports are messed up I cannot download pictures to the computer- bummer.

2.  David decided he hates our sofa, so he dragged it to the dump.  He was going to bring the old nasty sofa from the basement (this sofa was his parents, we acquired it 9 years ago and it has not been sat on, cleaned or dusted since).  As we were bringing it around he says "it looks a lot dirtier in the sunlight".  He started hemming and hawing about whether to bring it in the house or load it in the car.  I was NOT going to let him pin it on me that we didn't use this old, nasty, dirty, dusty sofa, so I said "just take it in the house".  He lifted it and yelled "oh, God, cat pee- take it to the car".  HAHAHAHAHA  Yeah Fred (the cat I HATED that ran away 18 months ago must have marked this lovely sofa- hooray).  So I am delighted that we are sofa-less and using the cushions off the old sofa.  Zachary, on the other hand is crying because we don't have a sofa.  He doesn't understand I have a plan.  Paint the walls, get new carpet and sofa.  I plan to get bean bag chairs for the children and maybe a coffee table.  

3.  I am taking back my living room.  Zachy took all his toys to his room.  I told him he was a big kindergarten boy now and didn't need a pile of toys in the living room.  He can have one basket in the dining room like Helen.  Also, the "green thing" cabinet has been cleaned out.  I packed up most of the things in there, except the big serving platter and some vases.  That leaves the top self open for the board games.  So- games are out of sight, toys are gone, there is one basket for some books.  It will look so different in here.  My babies are growing up and it needs to be a family friendly room, not a baby zone.  I think they are also old enough to not ruin carpet and furniture, so it is time to get something nicer.

4.  Kindergarten is going so well.  He is the devil after school, but so was Helen.  He is so good at school and he is doing great.  I think he will be reading by the end of the school year.  He is mush more motivated than Helen.  He acts like the first born.  Maybe because they are opposite sex?  

5.  Today is our anniversary.  David and I have been married 12 years.  Wow.  Hard to believe.  We have been in this house 11 years.  We have had 9 cars.  We have lost a baby.  We have two healthy, beautiful children.  We have buried 3 cats, and had one run away (devil cat).  We have  great dog.  I have been unemployed 9 of those 12 years, and David is very spoiled.  We have been to every state on the east coast, and to Canada, twice.  I really need to have our marriage blessed by the church, but I am afraid to get that ball rolling.  I am afraid to discover that my annulment was never filed, and then have to go through that again.

I need to get ready to sofa shop- YEAH!!!!!  Maybe we can find something without fighting (yeah, right).

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

I have started the Christmas shopping.  On the wish list this year:

Helen

Nintendo ds and games

Bison Webkinz

Books (mostly Mary-Kate and Ashley)

Polly Pockets

Zachary

Xbox and leapster games

books

Batman's Batcave

Neft Long Shot.

Gerbil & cage (he is actually not getting the gerbil ON Christmas- just the gear and a gift card)

 They are each getting a new boom box that will also play their "IHOPS"

It's over.....

Obama wins.  Give it year people, and see if if King Obama really fixes everything.  Of course, you'll be too snowed to see that he hasn't.  No one president can fix all the problems in this world.  I bet gas is still over $2.00 a gallon, I bet people are still losing their homes, I bet we will still be in Iraq.  He is not the cure for what ails us.  I am very afraid for what is going to happen.  We have elected a motivational speaker, not a leader.